Contributed by: seekseek(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on April 16th 2002"Complete Discography", as the title would insinuate, is the complete collection of Minor Threat's discography. In that, this isn't just a review of an album, it is a review of a band; a band that was one of the most prominent and influential hardcore bands of the 80's. They coined the term "strai.

"Complete Discography", as the title would insinuate, is the complete collection of Minor Threat's discography. In that, this isn't just a review of an album, it is a review of a band; a band that was one of the most prominent and influential hardcore bands of the 80's. They coined the term "straight edge" and birthed the movement of the same name. They had a sound that was raw, yet creative and overly appealing-something only a few percent of hardcore bands are able to accomplish. Members of Minor Threat went on to countless other bands, most notable being Ian MacKaye in Fugazi, and Brian Baker playing guitar in both Dag Nasty and Bad Religion. Because of all this, it makes me scratch my head thinking why I just now got this album (OK, there is no mystery. I am a cheap bastard and I never found a copy in the used bin). At any rate, I bought it from my dad, along with NOFX's "Liberal Animation" and Rocket From The Crypt's "RFTC", for fifteen bucks. Not a bad deal. I don't feel like going over every track, so I'll be going over the ones I feel stick out the most.

"Filler" happens to be my favorite Minor Threat song. The singing is MacKaye at his best; however, it is the lyrics that stick out the most.
"What happened to you?
You're not the same
Something in your head
Made a violent change

It's in your head (3x)
Filler

You call it religion
You're full of shit
[‚?¶]
Your brain is clay
What's going on?
You picked up a bible
And now you're gone"

"I Don't Wanna Hear It" is a song about‚?¶ hmm, not wanting to hear it? Don't believe me? Well, go ahead and read some of the lyrics. Be my guest‚?¶
"Shut your fucking mouth
I don't care what you say
You keep talking
Talking everyday
First you're telling stories
Then you're telling lies
When the fuck
Are you gonna realize...

That I don't want to hear it
Know you're full of shit"

Next we have "Seeing Red", which is about people looking down at you, something that most anyone who looks a bit different from the "norm" (i.e. anyone who doesn't wear Abercrombie & Fitch or the latest urban trends) can identify with. Just take a peak:
"You see me and you laugh out loud
You taunt me from safe inside your crowd
My looks, they must threaten you
To make you act the way you do

Red, I'm seeing red"

"Straight Edge" is, of course, the anthem of the Straight Edge movement. I'm not straight edge, but at the same time I don't "snort white shit up my nose" or "pass out at all the shows". I know the message is a positive one, not an attack on people in the scene who don't follow the suggestions in the song. It is a shame that people pervert the message; some segregate themselves, while others justify violence against those who aren't straight edge. That being said, this is a good song and the lyrics, some of which I quoted just above, are really great.

The next notable song, "Small Man, Big Mouth", is about‚?¶ small men with big mouths; people who try to make up for their lack in stature with aggressive behavior. Such behavior is known as "small man's complex". I'm sure you all know people like this, I know I do.
"What the fuck are you fighting for?
Is it because you're five foot four?
You better be happy with what you've got
You'll never get any more

You laugh at a man when he tries
You're trying to make up for your size
To you life is a rivalry
Keep a step ahead of me
Small man, big mouth"

Again we have a song that may seem to conflict with me personally, yet, again, this isn't the case. "Bottled Violence" is about people who drink, and while I may do this the song goes further, talking about those who "get their bravery from a half-pint". In other words, people who get drunk and start fights. Fighting, drunk or sober, is a waste of one's energy, and MacKaye does a good job of pointing this out, all while giving another reason for his straight edge lifestyle.
"Lose control of your body
Beat the shit out of somebody
Half-shut eyes don't see who you hit
But you don't take any shit"

Minor Threat's self-titled track is definitely one of theirs that I like the most. The song is an anthem for the young at heart. It is very easy to identify with what MacKaye is saying here. Lyrically, this is probably the best offered by him. Because of that, I'm sticking the complete lyrics below‚?¶
"We're no the first, I hope we're not the last
'Cause I know we're all heading for that adult crash
The time is so little, the time belongs to us
Why is everybody in such a fucking rush?

Make do with what you have
Take what you can get
Pay no mind to us
We're just a minor threat

We're just a minor threat

Early to finish, I was late to start
I might be an adult, but I'm a minor at heart
Go to college, be a man, what's the fucking deal?
It's now how old I am, it's how old I feel

Take your time
Try no to forget
We never will
We're just a minor threat

We're just a minor threat"

Society puts a big guilt trip on white people for such things as racism and slavery. People don't seem to understand that to blame the entire race of those responsible for such things, as opposed to blaming those individuals actually responsible, is not only careless, it is racist in itself. I know that I am against racism, and I don't seem to see the fucking correlation between the possible acts of my ancestors and myself. This is undoubtedly how MacKaye felt when he wrote "Guilty Of Being White".
"I'm sorry
For something that I didn't do
Lynched somebody
But I don't know who
You blame me for slavery
A hundred years before I was born

Guilty of being white

I'm a convict
Of a racist crime
I've only served
Nineteen years of my time

Guilty of being white"

The cover of the song made famous by The Monkees, "Steppin' Stone", is one of the catchiest songs on the album. It starts with the guitars then the drums kick in just before the vocals, and the volume steadily rises as the song heads into the chorus and the bass kicks in.

I'm skipping some good songs here, such as "Betray", "It Follows", and "Think Again", simply because I am lazy. So without further ado I bring you the last song of this review, "Look Back And Laugh". The sound to this song is much different than the average Minor Threat album. It is about friends growing apart, and there isn't really anyone exempt from this experience.
"I want to tell you a little story
'Cause it makes me warm inside
It's about some friends growing up
And all the things they tried
I'm not talking about staple shit
They went for something more
I guess it was too much dreaming
Too much to hope for
One day something funny happened
But it scared the shit out of me
Their heads went in different directions
And their friendship ceased to be

I'm telling you I want it to work
I don't like being hurt
Something's not right inside
And I can't always put it aside
What can we do, what can we do?"

And with that, this review is over. I hope you know I hate you. Did you even read this far? No? Well, I guess I can get away with calling your mother a no good whore then, huh? You aren't anything to brag about either, shithead. Yeah, I'm talking to you. The rest of your dad's semen must have been dead judging by the poor specimen that was able to reach your mom's ovaries first.

although i do love me some minor threat... I am going to have to agree with the prior quote, and although they were pioneers, labels and titles are just instruments used by the insecure who feel compelled to let the whole world know that they're "different". fuck catergorizing, we are all people, and it's things like this that divide us.

Anonymous (May 28, 2007)

I always thought it was really stupid to have to give yourself a label like to fit in.

Anonymous (May 28, 2007)

I just can't get into this band. The songwriting is weak, but it is hardcore/punk. The musicianship, or should I say lack of, just brings me to tears. And the lyrics are cheesey, and stupid. Plus they're striaght edge, just a another trend scene.

This a great intro to the band the music is very fast and the lyrics are very inspiring. Ian is the shit he was the first straight edge punk and you can tell when you listen to this cd that the best bands were the sober bands SXE

Without Minor Threat, we wouldn't have half of the punk and hardcore bands we have today..... They are probaly more influential than the Ramones. What makes a good Minor Threat song? The fuck if I know, but there is not one weak cut here. Also, if you can, pick up the First Demo tape.... It's only about 5 dollars and having both presents a full representation of the worlds most influential Hardcore band.

Anonymous (June 22, 2005)

punk cred? hardcore points? just love the music. i doesnt matter if your sXe or if your not or whatever. just do what you feel is right for you.

i just have to say that theres no doubt that this is one of the greatest hardcore albums of all time. i also have to strongly agree with anonymous a few post down. im the same way. you got your sxe hardcore kids, your emo kids, your streetpunks, your skankers, your straight up g-unit loving gangsters, your jocks, metal heads, preps the list could go on and on. i have all those different kinds of friends and we all get along great. because that is what punk, i think, is about. its about unity and acceptance.

Anonymous (January 14, 2003)

MinorThreat and Fugazi are both good bands
X STRAIGHT EDGE IN YOUR FACE X

Anonymous (December 25, 2002)

i like blink 183.

Anonymous (June 9, 2002)

Ahhh.... I just heard this album and it just changed my mind of everything. This album is just a masterpiece and is worth every penny that you pay for it.

Anonymous (April 25, 2002)

Hey...
I know i am posting under anonymous, just don't have the time to register right now (i am gonna register as either Fuzzy or Fuzzle)
I'm a 20year old sXe kid...
I and i have to say that in my life i've met alot more anti-sXe kids than militant sXe kids. I know back in the day, people used the edge to promote violence and other bonehead ideas, but it's all about a personal choice. I choose not to smoke, drink, snort, etc...
but it's not like i think everyone should make the same choice. It's whats right for me, but for my friend Juicy, doing shots of tequila and smoking pot is right for him (That was a fun nite...)
and its funny that someone mentioned black flag and henry rollins, cause rollins is (or was) one of the big sXe people back in the day (i believe)...
i dunno...i am not a huge hardcore fan, but I really like this album...it got me into other DC/Hardcore bands like Bad Brains, SSD, angry samoans, etc...
i am a ska kid at heart, my fav. band is the bosstones (who are legendary drunkards)...it's all about being true to yourself...not saying "you eat meat, you're not sxe" or "you're not sxe, so i cant be your friend"
life's too short for all the hate that we bring about...
sometimes i think that for a scene based around "unity" "equality" and "being true" we really try to alienate anyone who's different...
i don't like emo, but that don't mean i go and beat on the emo kids, in fact, one of my best friends is my emo queen...and one of my other best friends is a Raver/G-Thug...and i have metalhead friends, etc...

and you know what, we all hate each other's music, think our politics are dumb...but we're best of friends, cause we enjoy each other....
if your whole life is based around your friends being the same as you, then i feel bad for you, because you'll never experience new things or broaden your horizons

alrighty, that went on a big longer than i thot it would...

Anonymous (April 19, 2002)

to be straight edge
doest mean really
dont do drugs
alcohol
or meat

straight edge
mean
dont to things that you know or you think that will be dangerous for you

if you think that smoking pot is no dangerous or drink alcohol is not dangerous for you and you do
you are some kind of straight edge

but if you know or think that this things make you ill and you continious doing that when you are a MORON

I suppose you may be right about Black Flag, but I love them. I also like their later stuff, and I like the Rollins Band. I am probably the only person alive who likes all the Black Flag eras AND Rollins Band. Rollins Band ft Wayne Kramer - Hotter and Hotter. Awesome song. Wayne Kramer owns us all.

Anonymous (April 18, 2002)

Black Flag better than Minor Threat? Keith Morris era BF was great, but they only made a 4 song e.p. (Dez and Chavo were alright) Rollins made some good stuff, and a lot of crap. Minor Threat is the ONLY legendary punk band that never tarnished their name over time. Flag were dead by the end of '82, but crapped it out for 5 more years bringing their legacy to shit.

fugazi is good, this shit sucks. black flag is better. if you want some punk cred or hardcore points, buy this album and let it collect dust on a shelf. then dust it off when the people you want to impress are over.

Anonymous (April 17, 2002)

The only good SXE crew type band was SSD. Why? Cause Springa would preach and preach about the edge, then go smoke pot.

This album rocks. Although there's that song Straight Edge, he wrote the song about himself and wasn't trying to start some sXe crew.

Anonymous (April 17, 2002)

if you dont have this cd, and claim punk, hardcore, or even like any kind of independent music, you can go suck a fat dick. seriously. this thing lived in my cd player all of last summer.
one cuz it was good, and two cuz i had no money so i couldnt get new cds.

Anonymous (April 17, 2002)

Wyzo, maybe it's because I agree with your below post all the way, but i think that was perhaps one of the most intelligent posts i've seen on the site.

to tell you the truth, i'm not edge, but i'd like to consider myself part of a scene that promotes it. and being a former fan of "crusty/street punk", or whatever one might call it, i've met a lot more militant anti-sxe folks in that scene than i've met militant sxers in the hardcore scene.

to tell you the truth, i think the edge is something that is extremely difficult to keep, and if its truly a lifelong decision, it's something that is much more of a committment that doesn't deserve to be mocked in the least by militant or non-militant sxers. it's something that is, really, in almost every way a positive thing. why anyone would be against it is beyond me.

Although for me to rate wyzo's post as one of the most intelligent i've read here (not to knock wyzo...) might be saying something...

-BITTER

Anonymous (April 16, 2002)

Life is short and crappy, you die, and rot. If you want to go through life without ever trying drugs or drinking, that's perfectly fine. And if you don't want to go through life with a clear mind your entire life, then do drugs and drink. We all have to face there's nothing wrong with smoking a little pot or drinking a few beers.(Contrary to what some SXE kids think, not everyone is an addict or alcoholic) And yet theres also nothing wrong with never drinking or drugging up.

Thats what I got out of most of the anti-drug posts. I like the SxE kids better, at least they can drive you home at the end of the night and they never cheat on you because "I was drunk, I didnt know what I was doing, I was angry at you, you killed my cat...". You know, shit like that.

It boils down to this: drugs are mainly a middle class liesure activity and an escape for the lower class, and a chic privilige for the upper crust. The only people who should drink and do drugs are those that can handle it and fully understand that drugs can only do so much and whatever they do goes away, it doesn't "help" solve problems. The difficulty with this isn't that 85% of the people who drink or drugs can't handle what they put into there bodies. The problem is that 100% of that 85% believe they can handle it.

Personally, I can't stand militant SxE kids and I can't stand militant anti-SxE kids. Because I disagree with you? No, I just can't handle listening to either of you when I have a hangover.

Slayer covered "Filler", "I Don't Want To Hear It" and "Guilty of Being White" on Undisputed Attitude, the punk tribute they did a few years back. So that's how I got into Minor Threat. Strange, I know. Anyway, this CD is good. Maybe someone should review Undisputed Attitude.

Drugs are for pussys and it makes you a wimp. So next time you pick up a joint or snort some coke, remember this- you ARE NOT being "hardcore" you are just making yourself weaker and destroying your self-respect. Go ahead, do what you want, but choose what you do wisely. I think that's the point Ian was trying to make. In one of the songs IOan actually says that he isn't telling you how to live, he's just making important points and perhaps some of you dumber kids need help- because you're just going nowhere fast- drinking, smoking, shooting up, whatever- your just growing your beer gut and getting closer to your snotty grave and you are weakening as you get closer to death, that doesn't seem very "badass" to me. Just something to perhaps ignite some blood and flames in your guy's system. I'm not a straight edge, but I don't drink, smoke or do drugs- but I don't call myaself a straight edge.

Well I suppose you are right about posting lyrics and simply saying what they say, however, that is just how I happen to do things. I can't very well include audio samples, so lyrics are the only thing unfamiliar readers can really sample.

Anonymous (April 16, 2002)

daaaamn right the person below. this cd is definitely one of the best hardcore ever, along with hatebreed's 1997 and 2002 records, bane's it all comes down to this, and strife's one truth.

hardcore fucks emo in the ass

Anonymous (April 16, 2002)

I agree this is arguably the best hardcore album of all time, the only album to really come close is 'Satisfaction is the Death of Desire' by HATEBREED. I'm not sure about cutting and pasting loads of the simple, idiot-proof lyrics and laying out the denotations because it's pretty obvious, even for a linkin park fan, what McKaye was going on about.

Listen, people didn't even know what a CD was when this material was originally recorded. Do yourself a favor and pick this up on vinyl and listen to it the way it was intended to be listened to.
Discography is a stupid name.

Anonymous (April 16, 2002)

This album is great, but the review bit it hard. What's with cutting and pasting an entire half of the lyric sheet anyway??

and about the plug, that is something that is at the bottom of the actual review ON my site, except for the very last line. it is my responsibility to plug mediaocre's e-zine and the record label at every chance i get. if i didnt, i wouldnt be very fit to be running a record label.

to tell you the truth sickboi, i dont know who has reviewed what already. i reviewed it for my site, and figured i may as well put it here too. that is the case with all my reviews. if i wasted my time writing one, may as well put it on here too so more people can read it. besides, more than one opinion on something is never a bad thing.

Anonymous (April 16, 2002)

The greatest hardcore record of ALL time. If you don't love it, you have no musical taste. The end.
-Hamish